Worried families looking at ways to cut down energy use are looking at every appliance and gadget which is plugged in to save money.
But some of these things cost just pennies to use, and stressing over minimising their power usage is largely a waste of time. One such gadget is your mobile phone, which is often targeted by households under the impression that just plugging it in to charge when necessary rather than overnight is one way you can save money.
Technically, they are correct - but the savings are so tiny, it's not worth changing your behaviour to make them. Consumer group Which? has done the sums by comparing alternatives to charging when you are sleeping, and have found that amount you will save by changing your habits is a maximum of 40p - a year.
